Term 2 Week 3 2025
Principal's News
Welcome back to Term 2! We have loved hearing about how families celebrated Easter and the fun things that happened over the holidays.
Please find below our Parent Engagement Charter and Code of conduct. These outline our mutual obligations, as staff and parents, to each other so that we can enable 'full and flourishing lives' for our students, staff and families.
Road Safety
Safety is always our first priority at St Mary's and we have some road rules that are not being followed by some parents which could result in harm for members in our community.
1. Parents are only to park in the disabled car spaces if they have a disabled sticker displayed.
2. If the carpark is full and you cannot enter, please drive around the block. This can occur at 3pm as we wait to get our little students safely into cars. It is not safe to be parked on Palmerin St as it means that cars cannot get in and out of the car parks on Palmerin St and it can congest the traffic blocking Pratten St.
3. Students are not to cross Pratten St without an adult. This is an extremely busy street and too dangerous for students to cross on their own.
4. Students should not be waiting outside the school grounds for parents on Palmerin St or Pratten St on their own. They are to wait either at the carpark pick up or the Pratten St pick up where the students are supervised.
5. Parents and students crossing the road on Palmerin St should be doing it at the supervised crossing.
6. There is a turning lane in the carpark on the Palmerin St end and this is not to be parked in.
7. A good option if you can't find a park on Palmerin St and you want to come into school, is to park on Pratten St, on the other side of Palmerin St, and use the Crossing Supervisor to help you safely cross at the busy corner.
Please stay safe!
Ms Timmins is on leave and we pray it is a time of rest and joy for her.
Religious Life of the School
Easter Celebrations
Easter is a time of profound joy and celebration in the Catholic Church, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This special day symbolises the victory of life over death and the renewal of hope and faith. For Catholics, Easter is the heart of the liturgical year, inviting everyone to reflect on the love and sacrifice of Christ. It’s a moment to embrace the promise of new beginnings and to find inspiration in the message of eternal life. Let us cherish the spirit of Easter and the light it brings into our lives.
We celebrated Easter at school with prayers and song on the first day back after the holidays with the help of our Term 2 Year 6 Student Leaders and some Year 2 actors.
Pope Francis
After celebrating Easter and seeing Pope Francis involved in some of the Easter celebrations at the Vatican it was a surprise to hear of his passing on Easter Monday.
As one of our students said, "he was a good Pope. He taught us how to love".
Our students paused to pray, at our Easter Liturgy, for Pope Francis and the new pope who was to be elected over the coming days. Our Year Six students also participated in the Parish Mass for Pope Francis.
Eternal rest grant unto Francis, O Lord and perpetual light shine upon him. May his souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Pope Leo XIV
We have been watching expectantly for the white puff of smoke signifying our new Pope. On Friday, we awoke to the news that we had a new Pope and we welcomed the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope. He has chosen the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
As a school we joined in prayer on Friday morning. This inspired Naveh from Year One to draw this beautiful picture of our new Pope and to put the request to me to deliver it to him. So I will attempt to get this sent to him from our school along with all the other well wishes in the world and I also pray that one day I will meet this special man.
Prayer for Pope Leo XIV
Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love.
By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.
Amen.
ANZAC Day - St Mary's Remembers
Following our annual tradition, we gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day, a day of deep significance for Australians and New Zealanders. Our community came together to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the ANZACs, reflecting on their courage and the enduring legacy they have left behind. We thank the Year 5 students and their teachers for leading our liturgy and our special guests who were able to join us, including Army Sargeant Margaret Trahair, Army Private Mike Ford, Corporal Merv Bray, Father Terry Hickling and Councillor Russell Wantling.
We were blessed to be addressed by Army Sargeant Margaret Trahair as our guest speaker. We were privileged to hear her father's story of service and to view his photos from his time abroad. Margaret was able to give a special insight into why ANZAC Day is so important and to remind our students to continue to pray for peace.
There was this wonderful message in the Warwick & Stanthorpe Today paper from Mike Ford who joined us for our Liturgy. We are very proud that our visitors are also able to see the excellence in our students.
ANZAC Day Liturgy
A large number of our students and staff also participated the community ANZAC Day march. As our Year 6 student leaders laid a wreath and we observed a minute of silence, we were reminded of the importance of remembering and honoring those who have given so much for our freedom. ANZAC Day continues to be a powerful reminder of the values of courage, mateship, and sacrifice that define our nation.
Lest we forget.
ANZAC Day March
Mother's Day
Each year we pause to honour and remember mothers. We are so grateful for the wonderful mothers and those who do this job in our school community. We pray for these special women.
We pray for all mums who are blessed in the ministry of motherhood.
Grant them love and time to share with their families.
We pray for new mums experiencing changes they could not predict.
Grant them rest and peace as they trust you for the future.
We pray for pregnant women who will soon be mums.
Grant them patience and good counsel in the coming months.
We pray for older mums whose children are grown.
Grant them joy and satisfaction for a job well done.
We pray for mums who face the demands of single parenthood.
Grant them strength and wisdom.
We pray for mums who are raising their children in poverty.
Grant them relief and justice.
We pray for stepmums.
Grant them patience and understanding and love.
We pray for mums who are separated from their children.
Grant them faith and hope.
We pray for mums in marriages that are in crisis.
Grant them support and insight.
We pray for mums who have lost children.
Grant them comfort in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We pray for adoptive mothers.
Grant them joy and gratitude for the gift you have provided.
We pray for girls and women who think about being mums.
Grant them wisdom and discernment.
We pray for all women who have assumed the mother’s role in a child’s life.
Grant them joy and the appreciation of others.
We pray for those people present who are grieving the loss of their mother in the past year.
Grant them comfort and hope in Christ’s resurrection.
We are so grateful for the Year One teachers and students for leading us in such beautiful prayer on Friday. It was wonderful to have so many special guests joining us. There was even a very special visitor, a great Oma, all the way from South Africa. Special thanks to Kathy Moses for cooking the treats for our special guests.
SMW Celebrates our Mothers
Special thanks to Rhianna Ryan, Lisa Willi and your team of helpers for organising such a great Mother's Day Stall. There were some very excited students with beautiful gifts for their mums.
Parish News
Confirmation Workshops – Begin this Thursday, 15th May, for the next four weeks, in the Parish Office at 4pm. Confirmation will be celebrated on Friday, 6th June at 6pm.
Parish Mass Times - Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 8:30am. Children's Liturgy during Sunday Mass (not during school holidays). Saturday Mass will change to 5pm for winter, starting Saturday 31st May until the 30th August.
May peace be with you,
Sharon Young
Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity
“This is the peace of the risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace.” Pope Leo XIV
Curriculum
A Fantastic Start to Term 2
Term 2 at SMW has begun with energy and enthusiasm! Our students are already engaging in a variety of learning activities, and it has been wonderful to see their excitement for the new topics and projects coming up this term. Teachers are busy planning exciting lessons, and we look forward to sharing more about what your children are learning as the term progresses.
Curriculum Overviews
In Week 3, families will receive the Curriculum Overviews for each year level. These documents provide a snapshot of what students will be focusing on this term, and we encourage parents to take a moment to review them. They are a great way to understand the learning intentions and how you can support your child's educational journey at home.
Preparing for the Assessment Period
Over the coming weeks, our teachers will be guiding students through their ongoing assessments. These assessments help us gauge progress and identify areas where additional support may be beneficial. Teachers may reach out to parents for discussions about upcoming report cards, so please keep an eye out for communication. Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place in Term 3, offering a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress in detail.
Supporting Our Students Daily
A few simple yet important suggestions can make a big difference in your child's learning experience through the assessment period. Ensure your child starts each day with a healthy breakfast to fuel their energy and concentration. We also ask parents to support consistent attendance; unless your child is unwell, attending school every day helps maintain their steady progress.
Encouraging a Love of Reading
Reading remains a cornerstone of learning at SMW. Beyond books, there are many ways to keep children engaged with reading, such as exploring environmental print—words seen on signs or labels—and enjoying subtitles on TV shows. These everyday opportunities not only boost literacy skills but also make reading fun and relevant. Every repetition/practice counts, so keep your children reading – every day!
Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight!
Jess Harper
Middle Leader: Teaching and Learning
Student Awards
Exceptional Learning Award | Making Jesus Real Award | |
Prep B | Angus W, Matt A | Mia B, Lewis Q |
Prep W | Poppy B, Georgia S | Kallen D, Brodie B |
1D | Cameron M, Patrick S | Emily W, Kaden G |
1H | Angus D, Xavier K | Yonny G, Ellie L |
2D | Maverick B | Grayson K |
2S | Baylee R | Todd S |
3L | Colt S, Brayden B | Skyla C, Gurnoor S |
3T | Oliver M | Ember C |
4L | Mckenzie F | Ayva W |
4K | Musa M | Madison B |
5F | Cailean S, Xavier P | Ciann R, Havana C |
5D | Kihan S, Darcy S | Charlotte L, Eli P |
6B | Wyatt H | Macey M |
6H | Henry N | Isabel H |
Spotted Rising Up
Congratulations to all the students who have been 'Spotted Rising Up'. We had some extra prizes, including some circus tickets. The prize winners were Janine H, Baylee R, Eliza J, Hashie S, Sheila L, Molly R, Gracie J, Patrick S, Mckenzie M, Jahmari S, Jasmine B, Charlie G, Emily W, Thomas P and Sarayah C. This was announced at Assembly on Friday, 2nd May 2025.
Please celebrate with your child if they have brought home a Spotted Rising Up slip. It means that they were 'spotted' displaying one or more of the RISE UP positive behaviours.
Positive School Culture
The term has started with three fantastic Mystery Readers!
Please remember that anyone with children under school age are invited for this special story time. Invite your family and friends.
Melissa McGrath
Mrs McGrath, from the School Library, read a great book, 'ANZAC Ted' by Belinda Landsberry. She also showed her great ANZAC display and explained to the children the importance of ANZAC Day.
Brianna Barlow
Students were treated with the fun book, 'I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!' by Karen Beaumont by artist and teacher Brianna Barlow. The students loved her face paint and also the lesson where they all drew fantastic dog pictures.
Karen Mullins
“Wombat stew, Wombat stew, Gooey, Brewy, Yummy, Chewy, Wombat stew!” was a favourite rhyme read by grandmother, Karen Mullins. A story of true friendship, courage and intelligence and there was no tricking our Kindy students!
Sport
SMW Cross Country Carnival
Move over cars, St Mary's students are ready to race! We are so grateful to Morgan Park Raceway for letting us use their great venue for our Cross Country Carnival. It certainly provides a challenge for our older students as they finish up hill to the bridge and a lot of fun for our younger students in the middle of the field.
Special thanks to the parents and staff who helped set up in the morning and pack up in the afternoon. We are really grateful for your help.
Southern Downs Cross Country
From our Cross Country Carnival, twenty-two students qualified to compete at the Southern Downs Cross Country trials. Well done Maddison E, Caitlyn M, Declan R, Josh M, Riley B, Mitchel W, Thomas C, Grace R, Isla R, Ciann R, Sylvia M, Zuriel O, Luke N, Cailean S, Carlo S, Jack D, Jimmy A, Nathan H, Madison B and Zoe W. Our students ran their little hearts out and should be very proud of making it to this level of competition. On the day, six of our students were selected to attend the Darling Downs trials later this month. Congratulations Carlo S, Grace R, Jimmy A, Madison B, Sylvia M and Zoe W.
Darling Downs Representation
Congratulations to the following students for being selected to trial for these Darling Downs teams:
In Rugby League Beckett B, Hugh F, Luke N and Riley B trialled with Luke N being selected for the Darling Downs team.
In Hockey, Maddi E, Josh M and Ava M trialled with Josh M selected for the Darling Downs team.
In Basketball, Riley B trialled and was selected for the Darling Downs team.
Being selected in the Darling Downs team means that these players will compete at the State Championships. We are very proud that these students' exceptional skills have been recognised.
Southern Downs Soccer Trials
We had a great representation at the Southern Downs Soccer trials. Caitlyn M, Vinnie C, Jimmy A, Darcy S, Nathan H and Laiken F participated well in a very big field of students trialling. Congratulations to Caitlyn M who has been selected to represent our school and the Southern Downs at the Darling Downs Trials.
Broncos Cup
Parents in Years 5&6 will receive Parent Permission for their child to attend either Netball, Hockey, Rugby League or Football (Soccer) today. This is an interschool competition and we encourage all of our students to participate whether they are beginners or advanced. It is always a great day of learning new skills and a day out with friends. It will be held on Friday, 6th June.
Rugby League students will need mouth guards and footy boots;
Hockey students will need mouth guards and shin guards (we have spare hockey sticks);
Football students will need shin guards and soccer boots (some are available at school if needed - if you have any old pairs at home they would be appreciated for those students who don't normally play).
Students are to bring this equipment to school for the training sessions on Fridays, 23rd and 30th May.
Athletics Carnival - Date Claimers
Friday, 20th June will be our annual Athletics Carnival at Warwick State High School Oval.
The 1500m will be held the afternoon before, Thursday, 19th June at 3:45pm, also at Warwick State High School Oval.
More details to follow soon.
Parent Engagement Network (PEN)
The Parent Disco, scheduled for this week, has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances.
The PEN have organised a fantastic forum for this term with Karen Young. This will be held in the MacKillop Centre on Wednesday, 28th May. Hot drinks will be served from 5:45pm and the forum will begin at 6pm. Child minding will be available on the night.
This will also be an opportunity for you to raise any ideas you have for improving our school.
Tuckshop
Tuckshop is available at St Mary's on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It would be great if orders can be placed by 12pm the day before but all orders need to be placed by 7:30am the day of your order (and can be cancelled up until that time if your child is away) at www.flexischools.com.au or on the Flexischools app.
If your child is sick or not at school on a day you ordered Tuckshop please cancel the order by 7:30am or contact the school office after 8am.
Treat Week - Wednesday, 14th May & Thursday, 15th May
Thank you, helpers. Your help is really appreciated.
Administration
Year 6 Camp
We are very excited to be going on camp this Wednesday to Apex Camps at the Sunshine Coast. All details have been emailed to parents again on Monday night. Please be at school ready to depart by 6:50am.
Year 5 Brisbane Excursion
This is also fast approaching and will be held the 2nd-3rd June. There will be a parent information session next Tuesday, 20th May at 5:30pm in the Year 5 classrooms.
Disabled Parking - Reminder
Please be aware that the disabled parking spaces located on Palmerin Street & in the Carpark are designated disabled parking spaces. They are reserved exclusively for individuals with disabled needs.
We kindly ask that you refrain from using these spaces when doing drop off/ pick up unless you have the appropriate permit, we thank you for you cooperation & understanding on this matter. We have some students and parents who rely on these parking spots and are being inconvenienced by parents parking illegally.
Notices
Teddy Bears' Picnic Open Day
Join us at St Mary's for our Teddy Bear Picnic on May 16th! It's the perfect opportunity for any community members (2-5 years) to make new friends and enjoy delightful activities. Don't forget to bring your favourite teddy bear to share in the fun! See you there for a bear-y special morning!
Future Kindergarten Enrolments
If you have younger children or know anyone who plans to express interest in SMW Kindy then please complete the SMW Kindy Waitlist – as per the flyer attached. Children can be booked in from birth and we are nearly at full capacity for 2026 and 2027-2029 places are filling very fast. We certainly do want to support our families across the school campuses and the parish.
